Domestic Violence Concern (3-25-20)

Domestic Violence Concern (3-25-20)

>> coronavirus lockdown a dangerous time for victims of domestic violence, we've been staying on top of the story and spoke with a person from the ywca about the anticipated surge of cases of women and children needing shelter.

Joining us is chefon, a victim advocate at the prosecutor's office.

How are you today?

>> i'm good.

>> we spoke last week about this topic.

How concerned are you now for victims of domestic violence?

>> if you talk to anybody in victim services we're all very concerned because the closer the proximity to people that families have or, you know, couples have that have problems anyway, the more stressful it is in the more prevalent we're going to see more cases come through.

So we're all concerned and trying to be proactive to get resources out there.

>> i understand from ken that you are banding together, all of you which is so great.

I know you work together consistently all the time, but how are you specifically as a victim advocate trying to serve our community right now?

>> we're trying -- as a victim advocate we're always trying to get information out there about signs of domestic violence, what can you do to help victims?

What resources are out there?

So that we can work together to help do the most good because we can't be every where at once but everybody can do their part.

So we want to be a resource.

We want to be a voice to try to figure out what is going on with victims through the whole system and the whole process.

>> we know that coronavirus, alcohol, drugs, we know those things don't necessarily cause domestic violence but they contribute to t.

Being in a house with someone who is maybe not treating you very well and needing help, what would you suggest people do if they're in that scenario tonight?

>> i would say if you know that things are getting tense or have been tense in the past that you should make a plan and to know what you are going to do if this should happen.

You already know when tensions are getting hi, you can feel that so you need to always have a plan in place.

What am i going to do if this happens?

Where am i going to go?

Who am i going to call?

Have those things in place so that you can get out.

I mean you're life is important -- your life is important.

You need to take steps to protect yourself.

Obviously call the police.

If you need help right away text 911 to have police go there so it's more discry.

You can call a hotline.

There is a hotline you can call if give you directions, but you have to have a plan.

>> we're going to put the number up so everybody can see it if they need help.

And then i want to thank you for being with us.

We know that we can all do something by visit paying attention -- just paying attention to the signs we see around us around reporting